Discover Weston County: Black Hills, History, and Trails

Weston County lies along the western slopes of the Black Hills and provides access to the northern and southern Black Hills. This brings together landscape and regional history: you can include nature experiences, paths through wooded slopes, historic sites, and museums in your travel plans. For families and other travelers with different interests, the choice between active days, culture, and more relaxing outings is especially appealing.

Wide-open landscapes and trails for different preferences

Thunder Basin National Grassland covers most of eastern Weston County and encompasses 547,499 acres. Those who want to experience the landscape on foot or on two wheels will find several different options around Newcastle. Serenity Trail lies two miles north of Newcastle. The relatively easy, 3.5-mile loop leads through ponderosa pine forest and across weathered limestone formations. Mallo Trail is located about 22 miles northwest of Newcastle, is 3.5 miles long, and is open to hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders, and hunters.

The Flying V Trail System begins about eight miles north of Newcastle and currently includes approximately nine miles of connected trails. These trails are open to mountain bikers and hikers. The differences between a loop, a multi-use trail, and a connected trail system can help you plan your day trip according to your preferred activity. Another trail system crosses the wooded slopes around the ghost town of Cambria, a coal-mining town that flourished between 1890 and 1928.

Museums and Historic Sites

The Anna Miller Museum offers a comprehensive introduction to the region's history. Exhibits include artifacts from Indigenous peoples, dinosaur fossils, textiles, and displays about Cambria and Weston County's pioneer era. The museum grounds also include a Burlington Northern caboose, a settler's cabin, a rural schoolhouse, a log cabin, and several wagons. It is housed in a sandstone stable dating from the mid-1930s, which has been home to the museum since 1966. The museum is open year-round Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; from June through August, it is also open Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

In Old Town, the Red Onion Museum is located on the site where Iron Town was established in the 19th century. Old Town is a reconstructed version of the former settlement of Irontown. Restored wagons and relocated historic buildings and structures bring the site to life; these include cabins, a blacksmith shop, an icehouse, a fire station, and a water tank. In Newcastle, there is also the historic “Walk about Town Historic Tour.” The remains of Cambria include several preserved houses as well as 365 steps leading to the former school and residential area.

Water, Scenic Views, and Excursion Routes

Osage Pond in Weston County provides access for boating and seasonal fishing. On-site amenities include a gravel parking area, a basic boat ramp, a swimming dock, and a wooden fishing pier. Those who prefer traveling by road can include the Beaver Creek Loop Tour in their plans, with wildlife, impressive views, and traces of stagecoach routes. The Wyoming Black Hills Scenic Byway is a 78-mile route at the western entrance to the Black Hills, which extend into South Dakota. In Upton, you can play golf at Cedar Pines Golf Course.

Choose the Right Base for Your Trip

When choosing a vacation apartment or vacation home in Weston County, you can therefore begin by considering your preferred daily itinerary. For culture and regional history, the Anna Miller Museum, Old Town, the areas around Cambria, and the historic tour in Newcastle make good focal points. For hikes and mountain-biking excursions, several trails with different lengths, landscapes, and usage rules are available. If water, fishing, or a scenic drive is the focus, Osage Pond, the Beaver Creek Loop Tour, or the Scenic Byway can form part of a different travel plan. Compare the location of your accommodation based on your own route and the experiences you want to combine during your stay.

More destinations in the regional overview: Teton, Big Horn, Sublette, Platte County, Johnson County, Natrona, Sweetwater County.

For the main travel overview: Wyoming.